April 20, 2004

Bo Xilai is on exclusion name list of Chinese officials to be denied entry based on US law

On March 9, 2004, Friends of Falun Gong delivered a list of 100 human rights violators who have been most heavily involved in the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China to U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Department of Homeland Security. One of the violators on the list, Bo Xilai, the Chinese Minister of Commerce, is currently in Washington D.C. for meetings with the US Department of Commerce.

In accordance with Section 212(a)(2)(G) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Section 3 of International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA), which provide that foreign government officials who have engaged in particularly severe violations of religious freedom in the past 24 months, and their spouses and children, are inadmissible to the United States, we respectfully ask that Bo Xilai may not receive unfettered access to the US and be asked to leave immediately.

Mr. Bo was previously Deputy Secretary of CCPC of Liaoning Providence and Governor of Liaoning Providence, a former Mayor of Dalian City and General Party Secretary of Dalian City.

During his term as Mayor, Dalian became infamous for its severe persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Later as General Party Secretary of Dalian and Governor of Liaoning providence, he planned and managed the persecution of Falun Gong and frequently spoke out about the persecution in work meetings and conferences. In addition to those who have been illegally incarcerated, placed in labor camps, psychiatric institutions etc., there are 93 known Falun Gong related deaths in Liaoning province.

Bo's public statements against Falun Gong

Among various statements calling for increased repression against Falun Gong attributed to Mr Bo are the following:

On February 18th 2001, Mr. Bo addressed the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress. "... We have significant results in punishing corruption and fighting the evil cult Falun Gong. We shall remain steadfast and continue our effort to re-educate... Falun Gong practitioners. We shall punish the few die-hards with no mercy."

On January 20th 2003, he gave a speech at a meeting of the 10th Liaoning Provincial People's Congress. "...We have gained success in the fight to eliminate the Falun Gong evil cult. ...Let us be resolute in our fight with Falun Gong."

Bo Xiliai does not deserve to be in the US

As evidenced by these and other statements, Bo Xilai can be counted among certain Chinese government officials who have been responsible for and/or have directly carried out systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom against people who practice Falun Gong in China since 1999 and, therefore, are inadmissible to the United States. Friends of Falun Gong requests his immediate deportation.

Contact: Alan Adler, Friends of Falun Gong USA 201-410-1883